We have all had times when our mouth seemed so dry that it was difficult to speak or swallow. It may have been following a period of intense physical activity or at a time when you were simply unable to get have a drink to relieve your thirst. For many people, this dry mouth feeling is a chronic condition that negatively affects their quality of life and potentially their long-term health.

Dry Mouth Syndrome, which is known by the term xerostomia, can be caused by certain medications, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or from more day to day issues like stress, depression or nutritional deficiencies. Sufferers of this condition can have difficulty in speaking, swallowing, chewing and even tasting their foods. In addition, a lack of saliva can lead to increased rates of tooth decay and oral infections.

Fortunately, most cases of dry mouth are treatable by your dentist or physician. In cases that the condition is caused by medications, your doctor may be able to adjust dosages to relieve the problem. In other cases, certain medications can be prescribed if your salivary glands are not producing enough saliva.

There are also lots of things that you can do in your every day life to relieve the symptoms of dry mouth. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeinated and sugared beverages is a great first step. You should also avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol as well as spicy or salty foods. Be sure to brush and floss at least twice each day to minimize the risk of tooth decay and chew sugar free gum or suck on sugar free candies to stimulate the flow of saliva in your mouth.

Saliva limits the growth of oral bacteria and washes away food debris and plaque. In fact, saliva is an important component in your body’s ability to fight tooth decay. As a result it is vital to ensure that dry mouth problems are diagnosed and treated promptly. Please free to call our office if you have any questions about Dry Mouth Syndrome. We will be happy to answer your questions or to schedule a consultation appointment in our office.